Vestas announced that it has secured an order for 190 wind turbines for a single site, with a total capacity of 570 megawatts. The turbine order was placed by Alta Wind Holdings, a company which is wholly owned by Terra-Gen Power LLC. Vestas said it is the largest wind farm that the company has supplied in its 31 year history. Terra-Gen recently secured a $1.2 billion financing deal for four wind power projects in Kern County, California.

The Alta Wind order is for Vestas' V90-3.0 MW turbine and includes delivery, commissioning and a five year service and maintenance agreement. The delivery of the order is anticipated for late 2010, with the first 50 turbines being commissioned by the end of 2010, and the remainder in the first half of 2011.

Vestas Wind Systems A/S (Vestas) is an independent renewable energy company engaged in the development, manufacturing, sale, marketing, and maintenance of wind power systems. Vestas has installed more than 40,659 wind turbines in 65 countries. The wind turbines developed by the company generate more than 60 million MWh of power annually. The company's operations are spread across Denmark, Germany, India, Italy, Scotland, England, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Australia, and China. It is headquartered in Randers, Denmark.

Following more than a year of global financial crisis and economic downturn, the growth and expansion of the US renewable power industry is testament to the inherent attractiveness and resilience of the sector. Renewables will continue to be the bright spot of the US economy in 2010, given that the drivers that propelled the sector for the past five years are still at work.

The economic and financial crisis should have dealt a devastating blow to the renewables industry. Private investment in 2009 declined dramatically but was buttressed by record levels of public funds. These must now play a catalytic role in supporting capital market solutions to permanently secure the financing options needed by the industry.

The market is almost nearly entirely supported by public policy. The vast and growing number and types of government, utility and non-profit financial incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency in the US help explain growth levels in these markets. Production tax credits and renewable portfolio standards are key market drivers.

Not all renewable energy technologies are equal or offer the same growth prospects in the US. Solar is likely to live in the shadow of wind energy for several years to come, while hydropower, biomass and geothermal make modest inroads into the wider US energy market. The outlook for nascent wave and tidal energy markets will gradually improve.

Author: Paul Chapman, Analyst